You are here

Department of Aging

The month of May is Older Americans Month.

Out of an abundance of caution our annual Senior Day event scheduled for Wednesday, May 27th is canceled, but celebrating Older Adults is not. The theme for 2020 for Older Americans Month is “Make your Mark”. Please visit the Administration on Community Living’s website to learn more about Older Americans Month here.

“Making your Mark” is about the many ways your experience, talents and contributions make a difference to your family, your peers and our neighborhoods. If you would like to share your personal story on how you have “Made your Mark” throughout the years, please send us an email at Aging@city.cleveland.oh.us or mail to Meredith Baumgartner, Cleveland Department of Aging 75 Erieview Plaza Suite 201, Cleveland, Ohio 44114. We will highlight your stories on our social media pages.

To avoid being exposed to the coronavirus, it’s important for everyone to stay at home. This is particularly true for older adults and people with some chronic conditions, who have a higher risk for complications from COVID-19 — the illness caused by the coronavirus. The Eldercare Locator and the Alliance for Aging Research have teamed up to bring you the facts — so you can keep yourself and loved ones safe and healthy during this public health emergency.

All state colleges and universities in Ohio offer adults 60+ the opportunity to attend college classes at no cost (no credit is earned and some fees may apply for books or equipment). See the list of northeast Ohio schools and programs.

Seasonal activities at City of Cleveland Recreation Centers include organized sports, playground activities, performance arts, camping, and more. Activities are designed for participants from the very young to Seniors.

The City of Cleveland Departments of Finance, Aging and Public Safety presented a workshop in the Rotunda about methods of criminal operations and preventative measures for financial crimes targeting the elderly. A recording of the seminar is now available online.

This Plain Dealer article noted the number of poorly rated local nursing homes and has links to additional information. Concerned Clevelanders can access a cleveland.com article and video to help them choose a good nursing home, and can receive no cost asstance from the Long Term Care Ombudsman. In addition, Medicare lists the star ratings for nursing homes.

This program is for Medicare recipients with limited income.These individuals may quality for help paying for monthly premiums and prescriptions. Department of Aging enrollment counselors can help Seniors apply for the program

Cleveland Care Calls is an automated telephone reassurance system being offered to Cleveland Senior Citizens by the Departments of Aging and Public Safety. Through this computerized system the senior receives a call, on the days they request, to check on their well-being. This program is available to all seniors and is especially ideal for those living alone.

The City of Cleveland has announced the launch of a mass notification system that will provide critical emergency and non-emergency alerts to residents and visitors. The City encourages all residents, visitors, and businesses to sign up for the system known as CodeRED.

Caregivers of loved ones 55+ years of age can download a wallet card giving them quick access to information about the Ohio Caregiving Act.The legislation provides for the designation of a person to provide after-care to a hospital inpatient and participate in discharge planning. It requires hospitals to record the name of the caregiver when the patient is admitted, notify that caregiver if they are to be discharged, and provide the caregiver with instructions and demonstrations on home aftercare tasks.

Cleveland seeks to be so elder friendly that current older residents desire to remain, former residents wish to return to the City and the City can recruit additional older residents based on the elder friendly aspects of Cleveland and its neighborhoods.

– vision statement, as a participant of the Elder Friendly Communities component of the Cleveland Foundation’s Successful Aging Initiative.